Chatterbox Community Pre-School Limited

Whistleblowing Policy

Policy statement

ChatterboxCommunityPre-School is committed to delivering a high quality pre-school service, promoting organisational accountability and maintaining public confidence. This policy provides all staff working with children at Chatterbox with protection from victimisation or punishment where they raise a genuine concern about misconduct or malpractice in the organisation.

Guidance

Staff must acknowledge their individual responsibilities to bring matters of concern to the attention of the Lead Practitioner (Safeguarding), Pre-School Manager, Pre-School Leader, Directors or Board members of Chatterbox or relevant agencies. Although this can be difficult this is particularly important where the welfare of children maybe at risk.

You may be the first to recognise that something is wrong, but may not feel able to express your concern out of a feeling that this would be disloyal to colleagues or you may fear harassment or victimisation. These feelings, however natural, must never result in a child continuing to be unnecessarily at risk. Remember it is often the most vulnerable children who are targeted. These children need someone like you to safeguard their welfare.

If a staff member or volunteer feels the matter cannot be discussed with the Pre-School Manager or anyone else, they can contact OFSTED on 0300 1231231 for advice on what steps to follow.

“Don’t think what if I am wrong”,” think what if I am right”

Procedure

We ensure all staff are aware of how to complain about the behaviour or actions of other staff members or volunteers within the Pre-School or working on the premises occupied by the setting, which may include an allegation of abuse. Our Complaints Procedure file is in the main foyer which outlines procedures to follow. Our Complaints Procedure all our policies are accessible on our website

  • We respond to any inappropriate behaviour displayed by members of staff, or any other person working with the children, which includes:

-inappropriate sexual comments;

-excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities, or

-inappropriate sharing of images.

  • We follow the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board when responding to any complaint that a member of staff, or volunteer within the provision, or working on the premises occupied by the setting, has abused a child.
  • We respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or volunteer within the setting, or working on the premises occupied by the setting, may have taken, or is taking place, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident.
  • We refer any such complaint immediately to the local authority's social care department to investigate. We also report any such alleged incident to Ofsted and what measures we have taken. We are aware that it is an offence not to do this.
  • We co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by children’s social care in conjunction with the police.
  • Where the management team and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the Directors of Chatterbox Pre-School will suspend the member of staff on full pay, or the volunteer, for the duration of the investigation. This is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but is to protect the staff as well as children and families throughout the process.

Disciplinary action

  • Where a member of staff or volunteer has been dismissed due to engaging in activities that caused concern for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will notify the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) of relevant information so that individuals who pose a threat to children (and vulnerable groups), can be identified and barred from working with these groups.

Support to families

  • We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers in the group.
  • We make clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, providing information, monitoring of the child, and liaising at all times with the local children’s social care team.
  • We will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to any alleged abuse.
  • We follow the Child Protection Plan as set by the child’s social care worker in relation to the setting's designated role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation.
  • Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child's parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with the Confidentiality and Client Access to Records procedure and only if appropriate under the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Legal framework

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (HMG, 2015)
  • What to do if you’re Worried a Child is Being Abused (HMG, 2015)
  • Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (DoH 2000)
  • The Common Assessment Framework for Children and Young People: A Guide for Practitioners

(CWDC 2010)

  • Statutory guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 (HMG 2008)
  • Hidden Harm – Responding to the Needs of Children of Problem Drug Users (ACMD, 2003)
  • Information Sharing: Guidance for Practitioners providing Safeguarding Services (DfE 2015)
  • Disclosure and Barring Service:
  • Revised Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales (HMG, 2015)
  • Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings, (Ofsted, 2016)

This policy was adopted at a meeting of / Chatterbox Community Pre-School Ltd / (name of provider)
Held on / February 2017 / (date)
Date to be reviewed / February 2018 / (date)
Signed on behalf of the Directors
Names of signatory / Lorraine Morgan Bonita Griffiths
Role of signatory) / Pre-School Manager Pre-School Leader